Good winter clothes are absolutely a necessity when you’re taking a trip to the mountains!
Several weeks ago, we traveled to Durango, CO for Christmas. My parents recently moved there and we were dying to see their new home. Durango is one of our favorite Colorado cities, but we typically visit in the summer. We were excited to see it under a blanket of snow!
Since Colorado is notably colder than Dallas, TX, I knew I would have to pack the right winter clothes. I also knew we would be skiing and would need clothes to keep us warm. I wanted all of us to have winter clothes that would keep us warm and allow us to spend hours playing outdoors.
While we were there several of you also asked what kind of clothes we wore while we were there. So, today I’m sharing some of the winter clothes that proved to be good quality, practical, and affordable.
Girl’s Winter Clothing:
Everyday Clothes:
- HM puffer coat – we don’t need big coats in Dallas, but I snagged these puffy coats during Black Friday sales. We had an H&M coat last year and it held up well. Our new coats did so well in the snow and they wash easily, too, without falling apart.
- Target boots – I snagged these boots from Target the week before we left on our trip. They are super warm inside and have good tread on the bottom. They zip on the side so they’re easy to put on. I highly recommend them.
- Jcrew beanie – a hat is a must and this one the girls picked out was perfect! It’s super cute, too!
Ski Clothes:
- Borrows jackets – ski jackets are expensive, so unless you ski often, I recommend trying to borrow ski jackets. We borrowed jackets for both girls from a friend. If you are looking to buy one however, I found these jackets on Amazon as a back-up for us. They aren’t too expensive and have rave reviews.
- Target bibs – y’all know I’m a big sale shopper and as winter comes to a close a start stalking the sale racks Last year I was able to find a bib for each girl at Target for under $10 each! They were great quality and worked well. They have them again this year, too! Grab them HERE.
- Amazon base layers – I bet you could borrow base layers, but we wanted to get our own. We camp in cold temps too throughout the year, so I knew we’d get good use out of them. I got this pair for Emma and this pair for Abby and they were perfect.
Women’s Winter clothing:
Everyday Clothes:
- Long cardigan – oh man, layers is key in a cold climate! I am cold when it’s 60 degrees outside, so I knew whether I was outside or inside I needed layers. I wore a waffle knit cardigan nonstop (now sold out), but this one is a great option, too. If you opt for a neutral cardigan then it will pair over any outfit!
- Wool socks – wool socks are a must. Long socks are great, but they won’t provide the warmth like a wool sock does. I recommend wool socks like these HERE.
- Target boots – I didn’t pass intense hiking boots this trip, but still wanted to bring some warm boots with good tread. I brought a pair from Target last season (similar pair HERE), and they worked great!
- Ribbed hoodie – this under $25 ribbed hoodie is very comfortable and a great piece to layer over a tighter long sleeve or under a long cardigan or vest.
- Vests – vests are another great layering option. If you have ever been to the mountains you know that when the sun comes up, the temps heat up in a hurry. I loved having a vest to throw on in the afternoons without making me feel too hot. Mine is from last year, but there’s a similar one HERE.
- Free People hat – I was shocked at how much I wore my winter hat. This one is crazy soft and washes so well. I wore it both outside and inside!
Ski Clothes:
- Amazon base layers – I got these base layers from Amazon a year ago when we first went skiing and they were perfect. Their reviews are great and accurate.
- Amazon bib – the first time we went skiing I borrowed pants, but this time I wanted my own. I had seen bibs on Amazon and read the great reviews, but was still a bit skeptical. I ordered them anyway and could not say enough good things. They are well made, had pockets that zipped, were well-lined, and kept me warm. I also fell a decent amount the first day and they kept me from getting wet. I will definitely be buying another pair!
- Ski jacket – just like with the girls, borrowing a jacket is a great option; especially if you don’t ski often. I was planning on doing this, but ended up finding one via Consignment that had never been worn. So, note to self, always check higher end consignment stores like Clotheshorse Anonymous for ski gear!
- Gloves/mittens – for something like this, I would recommend checking out Amazon. They have so many options that are rated well and priced well. This pair is super similar to the pair I wore skiing.
Beauty Product must-haves for cold weather:
The second I get into cold weather, my skin takes a hit; specifically my hands and lips. If you’re going to a colder climate or just trying to survive winter, I can’t say enough good things about the products below.
- lip balm – I use this lip balm every night and swear by it. It has kept my lips from getting dry and cracked all winter long. I kept it in my pocket while were in Colorado and used it often!
- Hydrating cream – I recently got this Super Creme to use during the winter when my skin gets more hydrated. Typically, I use it every other night when I’m at home, but on this trip I used it every night. Trust me, your skin will love it!
- Hand lotion – I neglected hand cream the first couple of days we were in Colorado and definitely regretted it. A couple of days in and my knuckles were dry and cracked. I recommend keeping lotion like this one on hand.
